Friday, December 25, 2015

Ferocious Dog "From Without"Release date: October 5th, 2015Running time: 44:37, 11 tracksIf the Levellers were inspired by McDermott’s 2 Hours, Ferocious Dog have followed the lineage and brought their spirit to a new audience. “From Without” is the band’s second studio album and it has confirmed what fans in the UK, but also around the globe noticed when their previous album was released: Ferocious Dog are nowadays the best band on the UK folk-punk circuit.

Ken Bonsall (vocals, guitar), Dan Booth (fiddle), Les Carter (electric guitar), John Alexander (bass), Scott Walters (drums, vocals) and Ellis Waring (bouzouki, mandolin, banjo, acoustic 6 and 12 strings guitars, electric guitar and vocals) have delivered a top-notch album. Their roots are clear from the very beginning: “Gallows Justice” is a brilliant song with an early McDermott’s 2 Hours feel and the lyrics to track no. 3, “Living on Thin Air”, have been written by McDermott’s 2 Hours frontman Nick Burbridge.

Ferocious Dog are rooted on the British fiddle punk field, but their lyrics are not focused only on the UK reality. For instance, “Ruby Bridges” is a fantastic song about the the first black child to attend an all-white elementary school in Louisiana during the 20th century and her teacher Barbara Henry (more info HERE). And “Marikana Massacre” is an amazing number about the killings that took place in a South African mine when the miners went on strike in 2012 (more info HERE)

Those four tracks are some of the highlights on the album, but there are a couple of numbers that I’d pick up: “Crime & Punishment” is a tale about poachers that ended up in Australia in 1865. The music to the chorus reminds me of The Men They Couldn’t Hang “Ironmasters” and the tune that has been added at the end is the one that Shane MacGowan and The Popes used on “The Snake with Eyes of Garnet”. Familiar? Yes, but not a copycat. Ferocious Dog have the skill to take familiar sounds and write a number that is totally new and fresh. And the album’s summit is reached with “Slow Motion Suicide”. If I had to choose the Song of the Year, the choice would be easy: “Slow Motion Suicide”. Miners were victims of Thatcherism and Ferocious Dog have written the definitive song for the effects of that bloody period. Poignant song and excellent hypnotic fiddling that will make you cry. If the Levellers wrote “15 Years”, Ferocious Dog have written “Slow Motion Suicide”, probably the best fiddle punk song from the last decade. If you don’t believe me, go to Shite’n’Onions and read what Neil Bates wrote about the album and particularly about this song.

The packaging is a labour of love: digipack, great album cover picture by Richard Doughty, 16 page booklet, lyrics to the songs, thank-yous, line-up … The album was produced by Matt Terry, mixed by Tom Jenkins and mixed by Al Scott (another member of the Levellers family).

“From Without” recently made the 8th place at our Best of 2015 list. I feel that their third studio album will reach a higher position. Are you looking for catchy songs, but also for songs with a message or storytelling? Then go ahead and buy a copy of “From Without”. It’s already on iTunes and other platforms, but I recommend the physical CD.

A new sampler just before the end of the year, featuring some Christmas songs (The Sullivans, The Bloody Seamen and The Wages of Sin), stuff from some bands that made the Top 40 (Folk the System and The Dead Maggies), some new tracks from fave bands (Vagrant Nation and The Dead Rabbits) and new bands from Indonesia (The Shootdaddy's) and Canada (The Barefoot Sailors). The links to every song can be found at the bottom (Reverbnation, Soundcloud, Bandcamp, etc.) The links to Soundcloud don't last forever. Once the limit is reached, the song is no longer available as free download. Hurry up!

1)
As usual, this post is titled as “the best of”. However, this is not a
competition, but a sort of a game. Remember that I give neither points,
nor stars to the albums that are reviewed. I’d say that, IMHO, this is
the list of the most enjoyable albums of 2015. It's a party!

2)
This list is subjective, but not unfair: it covers the albums that I
have enjoyed. Other lists are being posted on other sites and they'll be
different. And I feel that diversity is good.

3) Important: Please remember that it’s a list of albums, not a list of bands.

4) I've tried to be coherent. Everybody should know that I prefer original material to over-exposed standards.

5)
Please remember that I'm only a fan. Maybe some albums are technically
or musically better than others. I have taken into account catchy songs,
fresh approaches, innovation and maybe I've given priority to raucous
sounds rather than to polished sounds

6) Yes, this is a Celtic
Punk e-zine. Then priority has been given to Celtic punk bands, but
you'll also find quite a few Celtic rock and folk punk bands.

7)
Only the albums that have been received for review/airplay purposes
and/or that have been shared for free by the bands have been rated.
Other recordings were released in 2015, but unfortunately no copy was
submitted or they got lost on their way to Spain.

8) This Best
of 2015 covers the albums that have been released from December 2014 to
November 2015. As you can see, a CD was released in 2013. I’ve decided
to rate it on the 2015 list ONLY after having checked that it was not
reviewed on any other Celtic punk / rock e-zine in 2014. I’ve got it in
2015 and I feel that a lot of fans didn’t notice that the CD was
released before having read my review. Then, I’ve considered
it as a 2015 release.

9) Neither live albums, nor only covers albums have been taken into account. The same applies to compilations/best of albums.

10) Some albums that are normally played at the 24/7 streaming radio have not made the list, because the music was more punk that Celtic punk

11)
To be at the bottom of the list doesn't involve that an album is rather
poor. The difference between the 5th place and the 20th place would be a
tiny nuance. The same applies to the places going from 21st to 40th.

12) Several songs from these albums have been added to the streaming radio along the year and they are regularly played.

14)
To the bands: it’s extremely difficult to rank every recording and I
guess that some people won’t be happy. However, I really appreciate and
respect the hard work by every single band. The quality of all of the
recordings has been very high!

Albums Top40

25 albums
from Europe: 5 from Italy, 5 from the United Kingdom, 3 from Spain, 2
from The Netherlands, 2 from the Czech Republic, 2 from Germany, 1 from
France, 1 from Belgium, 1 from Norway, 1 from Slovenia, 1 from Sweden
and 1 from Hungary

As far
as the EPs list is concerned, it ranks EPs and mini albums. Albums whose
running time was shorter than 30 minutes have been considered as
mini-albums.

25 CDs from Europe: 5
from the United Kingdom, 4 from Hungary, 3 from Germany, 2 from The
Netherlands, 2 from France, 2 from the Czech Republic, 2 from Russia, 1
from Ukraine, 1 from Belgium, 1 from Spain, 1 from Italy and 1 from
Norway

“Bring the Barrels” is The McDrinkers’debut album. The Quebecer band formerly known as The Irish McDrinkers had previously released an EP titled “Welcome to Whiskeytown”. In the meanwhile, some band members have gone and new ones have joined the band. The new guitar player is François Blackburn and the new drummer is Dave Fortin.

Three tracks form the EP have made the album: “Dirty Rats”, “The Boozer Lament” (one of the top tracks on the album) and “Handful of Mess” (another highlight).

Other interesting numbers are “The Greatest Fall” (awesome song with a punk beginning and great fiddling), “Get Away” (another standout song featuring banjo with a Bay Street Bastardsfeel) and “Murphy Said” (a catchy song based on mandolin and fiddle).

Together with those tracks, check out “Follow the Wave” (a cow punk number), “Running Back on Gold” (the guys move to the Folk metal territory), “The Man and The Beast” (a track showcasing guitar) and “The Boat and The Ale” (a slow number).

The album comes in a jewel case with an inlay card stating the band’s line-up, the band’s facebook, thank-yous and the studio credits. The album has been produced, recorded and mastered by The McDrinkers at The McDrinkers Studio.

“Bring the Barrels” is a new step on The McDrinkers career. There are several fantastic numbers , the banjo has added a new atmosphere to some of the songs and the fiddle kicks ass. Go to Bandcamp and buy your Christmas present.

I mentioned recently this band on a review and someone asked me about them. Days n'Daze are a Trashgrass/Folk punk band from Houston, TX (USA). Their albums can be bought from Bandcamp, their price is at least 0,50 USD (the splits cost 7,00 USD). Most of their songs are also available at Reverbnation.

"Houstonians Whitney Flynn and Jesse Sendejas formed Days N´Daze as a duo in 2008. Since then, they've taken on different musicians to create a full recording and touring band. Presently, the band's rhythm section includes bassist Geoff Bell and percussionist Meagan Michelle. Flynn and Sendejas remain the band's principal songwriters.

The group's sound has been described as "riot folk" or "thrashgrass." Song themes run the gamut from social (gang violence, terrorism, annihilation of the environment for corporate pocket-lining, the mundane and unavoidable anxieties of modern life, et al) to recreational (how the fuck did we end up in jail?).

Days N´Daze embraces the D.I.Y. ethic by recording, packaging and promoting its music independently.

DnD is best known for is its live shows, which are energetic to the point of audience members stripping their clothes off in ecstatic, music-induced jubilation (or, too much PBR). The band has performed in more than half the contiguous United States in venues ranging from house shows to festivals. On the road, DnD has played the D.I.Y. staple Brootal Sun Fest, at Skatopia's Bowl Bash and in Tompkins Square Park in NYC's Alphabet City. At home, it performs routinely at well-regarded spaces such as Walter's and Warehouse Live. The band was honored to open the second day of performances at the 2011 Houston Free Press Summerfest, which featured headliner Weezer later that night.

Days N'Daze has opened for several national acts, including Leftover Crack, The Infamous Stringdusters, M.D.C., Morning Glory, New Zealand's Night Gaunts, Cancerslug and Mischief Brew.

Saturday, December 19, 2015

The band have released six albums. Their New albums "The Year Of The Dragon" and "Gwlad!" follow their previous albuums "Gargling With Brains", "Alcohol & Rain", "Celtic Bonding" and "Bright New Tomorrow".

They have had crowds partying at festivals and venues across Wales, England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, The Netherlands, Slovenija and The USA

Sosban Fach (Trad. arr Here Be Dragons)Classic Welsh traditional song. When Welsh people get together we often like to sing. This song is nearly always the first or last sung, especially if there are any Llanelli supporters present.

Here Be Dragons usually sing this to finish the concert. It's the most recorded Dragons song too featuring on 5 albums! (4 different recordings)

Le Winston Band is a Cajun/Zydeco band from Montreal, Quebec (Canada). Their songs have been added to Celtic-Folk-Punk radio recently. Their EP and album can be downloaded from Bandcamp (Name Your Price).

Folk the System "Unrest in the Wolds"Release date: May 7th, 2015Running time: 40:10, 10 tracks

Folk the System are Simon (vocals, 12 string
guitar, tin whistle), Tony (6 string guitar), Maty (bodhrán, vocals), John
(fiddle, mandolin) and Jonnie (bass). They were formed in the early nineties
and released a couple of 4 track demo tapes in 1993 and 1994. Sadly, they
disbanded around 1996.

In late 2013 Simon bought a new 12 string
guitar and told his bandmates that it was the right moment for a comeback.
Almost 20 years have gone by and the lads from the Shires are increasing their
fan base thanks to their shows at festivals, their cover of “What You Know” on
the tribute to the Levellers album “Bostin’ Days” and, obviously, from their
long-awaited debut album “Unrest in The Wolds”.

Folk The System have a bodhrán instead of drums,
but don’t be misled by that: these guys really rock!!! “Unrest in the Wolds”
kicks off with “Witchfinder”, a song whose lyrics can be filed with the Levellers
“Social Insecurity”. The song begins slowly, but after a “two, three, four”,
the frantic fiddle and bodhrán make you clear that this is folk-punk.

Track no. 2 is called “Civilisation” and it’s a
catchy song, one of the highlights on the album. Fiddle, acoustic guitar and
bodhrán are perfect, especially the bodhrán at the end. The sound is based on
the Brighton school, but this time it’s more McDermott’s 2 Hours than
Levellers.

The next number is amazing too: “Lost Land”.
Catchy chorus, excellent fiddling and fantastic backing vocals at the end of
the song.

The approach of “Death of a Nation” reminds me
of Bleeding Hearts. It’s followed by another fave, “Environmentally Friendly”.
Fiddle punk at its best!!!

“To No End” has a sound reminiscent of
McDermott’s 2 Hours from “The Enemy Within” era.

“Murphy’s Logic” is a brilliant instrumental. I
guess that this number is one of the hottest moments at Folk the System gigs.

“Street Corner People” is about the budget cuts
on the Health National Service, especially on Mental Health. The band is really
tight on this track: bass, tin whistle, bodhrán and fiddle. “Vanity” is an
infectious fiddle punk number and “Least You Deserve” is a little bit darker.

“Unrest in the Wolds” come in a jewel case with
a 4 page booklet with all the info: line-up, band pic, thank-yous and website.
The studio credits are stated on the back cover (recorded at RAH Studio and
produced by Jake Jacob and Folk The System). The lyrics to all of the songs can
be found on the booklet, but the font size is very, very small.

Here at Celtic Folk Punk and More we do enjoy
British fiddle folk punk. Apart from the Levellers, we love Tricks Upon
Travellers, Tofu Love Frogs and Bleeding Hearts. So we are happy when we listen
to “new” bands like Ferocious Dog and Folk The System.